Results of hemisection of the spinal cord in monkeys / by Frederick W. Mott ; communicated by Professor Schäfer.

  • Mott, F. W. (Frederick Walker), 1853-1926.
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Results of hemisection of the spinal cord in monkeys / by Frederick W. Mott ; communicated by Professor Schäfer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Notes of Cases. Case I, Bonnet Monkey —Hemisection of the cord on the right side, between the 3rd and 4th dorsal nerves. Four hours later temperature of the right popliteal 97°’6, left 98°'4. Paralysis of right leg owing to drowsy condition from anaesthetic not having passed off; the sensory disturbances could not be tested satisfactorily. The next day there was complete paralysis of all the muscles of the right leg. Tempera- ture of right popliteal space 98°’2, left 100°'4. Several trials made to be quite sure. With regard to sensation there was diminished sensibility on both sides when tested with a needle. As far as 1 could judge he would respond as soon to a prick on the right side as on the left; the abdomen, leg, and foot being tested. 3rd day.—Tested the animal with Professor Schafer by pricking with a needle. It was concluded that it felt better on the non-paralyzed side. With the interrupted current stimulation with fine-pointed electrodes led to response on non-paralyzed side when the secondary coil was distant 11 centims. from the primary : on the paralyzed side when distant 9 centims. The plantar surface of the right foot was swollen, red, and hotter to feel than the left. 5th day.—Temperature sense was tested. Piece of metal heated by dipping in hot water placed upon the sole of the foot and other parts of the body, gave rise to a response on both sides. The temperature was daily tested in the popliteal space of the two sides and the rectum. It was found on the non- paralyzed side to correspond within a decimal point or two with that of the rectum. On the right or paralyzed side it was 1° to 1^° lower. The animal was tested every few days for the next month, and it seemed that tickling sensations, such as scratchiug with the blunt end of the needle, pricking with the point, or the faradic current, were responded to on both sides. 30th day.—Knee-jerk exaggerated both sides—more marked on the right. The limb seems atrophied, but muscles respond to faradism. The animal can use both limbs, flexion of knee and hip being now fairly strong. Can support himself with his right foot on the bars of the cage, but he does not grasp with that foot. A black cap was put over his head and he walked much more slowly and carefully, but climbed up the wire work of the cage. The temperature of left popliteal space is still a little higher than the right. 32nd day.—Section of left half of the cord between 9th and 10th dorsal nerves. Within two minutes of the section the left foot began to swell and look red. This operation caused complete paraplegia. The next day the following notes were taken. Animal very well, except that he is paralyzed in both legs absolutely. The abdominal muscles were not observed to be paralyzed. He seems to feel a little in the foot on both sides ; about the root of the tail he is quite insensitive. When a hot spoon is placed upon his foot he takes no notice of it until some time has elapsed, when, guided by sight, he attempts to remove it. The feet are swollen and dry on both sides. The temperature of the soles of the feet and popliteal space could not be registered, being below 95°; in the axilla of the left side it was 96°'6. Two days later, by means of a surface thermometer, the sole of the left foot registered 95°, while the sole of the right foot registered 92°. This was anticipated, as the left foot was swollen, and felt warmer. On the other hand the left popliteal space registered 97°’2, the right 97°'2, and the axilla 99°'8. It was noticed when I put the thermometer in the popliteal spaces that the animal, which was lying half asleep, looked round. It coughed frequently, and in doing so used its abdominal muscles, though somewhat feebly.